Borders on very-high alert as Amritpal Singh looks to exit India, reach Pakistan

Amritpal Singh had become a nuisance for the Indian security agencies. He had modelled himself on the lines of terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

A high-state of alert has been declared as the Punjab Police continue to hunt for radical Sikh leader, Amritpal Singh, who has been tasked by the ISI to ramp up the pro-Khalistan movement.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the chiefs of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) to remain in a state of very high alert as Intelligence reports suggest that Singh may look to cross the border.

Two pictures of Amritpal Singh, with and without a turban have been shared with these agencies with a message that he would try and use the International Border in Punjab or the India-Nepal Border to get out of the country.

An official tells OneIndia, that he will look to get out of India and reach Pakistan, where he will be welcomed with open arms and given all the protection he needs.

Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive by the Punjab Police. There is every possibility that he may have used the above-mentioned borders to get out of India, an official tells OneIndia. The BSF and SSB have been sensitised to monitor the borders the official also said.

The police have got cracking on Amritpal who has had a free run in Punjab for the past many months. 78 of his associates have been arrested so far, but Amritpal who the Punjab Police planned to arrest has managed to evade them. The police have been carrying out flag marches in major towns, while the internet shut down has been extended.

Singh was an unknown figure until the death of Deep Side, the founder of Waris Punjab De. Amritpal had gone to Dubai for work in 2012 as a truck driver in his family transport business. He is said to have come in contact with pro-Khalistan elements, at this time. He is said to have been introduced to the ISI at the same time.

He was out of the blue brought into Punjab following the death of Deep Sidhu and made the chief of the Waris Punjab De.

In Punjab he grained traction over a very short period of time. He modelled himself on the lines of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and managed to attract scores of youth. However his movement remained violent and he openly spoke about the need to establish a separate Punjab nation.

The Punjab administration has been criticised for acting very slow on Amritpal Singh. Following the violent protests at the Ajnala Police station, the police in fact gave in and even released an aide of his. The police had later defended their actions and said that had they reacted the situation would have become worse. Further they said that the prospers had with the Guru Granth Sahib and it was out of respect that they did not act.

The Centre on the other hand has been keeping a close tab on the activities in Punjab and has flagged concerns on the law and order situation. Being a border state, it is even more important for the Punjab Police to be on high-alert, the official cited above said.